BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN 2-Bay Rackmount NAS – 16TB, 2.5GbE, iSCSI, TAA Compliant

The BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN is engineered to elevate how small to mid-size offices store, protect, and share critical data. This partially populated 2-Bay Rackmount NAS comes with 16TB of ready-to-use storage (2 x 8TB HDDs), delivering an immediate centralized hub for files, backups, and collaboration. Designed for reliability and scalability, the 3430RN blends enterprise-ready features with accessible management, helping teams work faster and IT staff streamline administration. With a 2.5GbE network interface, you gain noticeably quicker file transfers, smoother backups, and better performance for multi-user access, even in busy offices. It’s TAA compliant, satisfying procurement standards for government and enterprise deployments, while remaining an affordable choice for businesses focused on efficiency, security, and growth. From team folders and project archives to media libraries and backup targets, the TeraStation 3430RN is built to handle daily workloads with quiet operation and long-term dependability.

• 2.5GbE connectivity for faster network throughput, enabling quick file sharing, backups, and media streaming across your office LAN.
• Pre-installed 16TB storage (2 x 8TB HDDs) ready to deploy, with RAID 0/1 and JBOD options to match performance and redundancy needs.
• Native iSCSI support for efficient block-level storage, ideal for virtualization workloads, backup targets, and flexible storage provisioning.
• Rackmount 2-Bay chassis with accessible drive bays for easy maintenance and future capacity expansion while preserving a compact footprint.
• Secure NAS operating system with standard protocols (SMB, NFS, FTP) and user-management features, plus compatibility with Windows ACLs for controlled access.

Technical Details of BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN

• Model: BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN
• Bays: 2-bay rackmount
• Included drives: 2 x 8TB HDD (Total 16TB raw)
• Drive interface: SATA, hot-swappable bays
• RAID support: RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD
• Network interface: 1 x 2.5GbE RJ-45 Ethernet port
• USB ports: USB 3.0 on rear for backups or peripheral connections
• Supported protocols: SMB/CIFS, NFS, AFP, iSCSI, FTP
• NAS OS: Buffalo TeraStation NAS operating system
• Security: standard access controls and user authentication features, Windows ACL compatibility
• Power: 100-240V AC, designed for rack installation
• Form factor: 1U rackmount chassis for standard 19" racks
• Compliance: TAA compliant for government and enterprise procurement
• Warranty: 3-year limited hardware warranty (subject to terms)

How to Install BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN

Preparing your BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN for deployment starts with a simple, methodical setup. Follow these steps to bring your new NAS online and ready for users, backups, and shares.

Step 1: Install in a standard 19" rack. Secure the 3430RN in a stable rack location with adequate airflow. Ensure there is sufficient clearance to access the front panel for drive access and maintenance, and route cables neatly to avoid airflow obstruction or accidental disconnections.

Step 2: Verify the included drives. The unit ships with two 8TB HDDs pre-installed. If you plan to reconfigure or upgrade, power down the NAS before opening the chassis. Install or replace drives in the labeled bays, ensuring they are firmly seated in their trays and connected.

Step 3: Connect network and power. Attach a high-speed Ethernet cable to the 2.5GbE port and connect the NAS to a switch or router capable of handling 2.5GbE speeds. Connect the power cord and power on the device. Allow a few minutes for the NAS to boot and initialize its OS.

Step 4: Access the web management interface. Use a computer on the same network and launch a browser. The NAS can be discovered via Buffalo’s NAS Navigator utility or by entering the default IP address shown in the front-panel LCD or user documentation. Follow the on-screen setup wizard to initialize storage, set administrator credentials, and configure network settings.

Step 5: Configure storage and RAID. In the storage management area, choose your preferred RAID mode (RAID 1 is recommended for redundancy with 2 drives) or JBOD for separate volumes. The wizard guides you through creating a storage pool, volume, and shared folders. Consider enabling a primary backup target or iSCSI targets if you plan to use virtualization hosts or server backups.

Step 6: Set up users, groups, and permissions. Create administrative and standard user accounts, organize users into groups, and assign appropriate permissions to shared folders. If you operate in a Windows environment, leverage Windows ACLs to provide granular access control and smooth integration with existing network accounts.

Step 7: Enable backups and data protection. Configure scheduled backups to protect important data—either to local shares, external USB devices, or a remote backup location. You can also set up snapshot-like protection depending on the NAS OS features, ensuring quick recovery in case of accidental deletion or corruption.

Step 8: Activate iSCSI targets (optional). If your workflow includes virtualization or needs block-level storage, enable iSCSI targets and present them to your hypervisor. This enables rapid provisioning of virtual disks and can simplify disaster recovery planning by decoupling VM storage from file shares.

Step 9: Update firmware and enable security features. Check for the latest firmware from Buffalo’s support portal and apply updates to ensure you have the newest security patches and performance enhancements. Review network security settings, enable HTTPS access, and establish strong administrator credentials to reduce exposure to threats.

Step 10: Validate performance and access. Create a test file share and verify permissions from multiple clients (Windows, macOS, and Linux if needed). Perform a quick file transfer to gauge performance over the 2.5GbE connection and ensure that iSCSI targets (if used) present correctly to your virtualization hosts.

Frequently asked questions

• What does “2-Bay Rackmount NAS” mean for my data safety? It means you have two drives to store files and protect data with RAID. RAID 1 mirrors data across both drives, providing redundancy in case of a single drive failure, while RAID 0 offers performance without redundancy. JBOD allows combining drives as separate volumes for flexibility.
• Is the 2.5GbE network interface enough for heavy workloads? For many SMBs, a 2.5GbE link significantly improves file transfers, backups, and media streaming compared to traditional Gigabit Ethernet. For very heavy workloads or multiple concurrent users, you may consider link aggregation or upgrading network infrastructure to maximize throughput where supported.
• Can this NAS be used with virtualization platforms? Yes. The built-in iSCSI support enables you to present block storage to virtualization hosts, which can simplify VM storage provisioning and improve backup strategies.
• Is the TeraStation 3430RN compatible with Windows and macOS? Yes. It supports common network protocols (SMB, NFS, AFP) and integrates with Windows ACLs for access control, while macOS users can connect via SMB or AFP depending on your configuration.
• What kind of support and warranty does Buffalo provide? The BUFFALO TeraStation 3430RN typically includes a multi-year hardware warranty (common terms apply). For up-to-date warranty specifics, refer to the product page or your purchase documentation.
• How many drives are included and can I upgrade later? The unit ships with 2 x 8TB drives installed (16TB total). You can upgrade or replace drives in the bays as needed, and you may reconfigure the RAID level to balance capacity and redundancy over time.